[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 147 (Monday, July 31, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46840-46857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19192]



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Part V





Department of the Interior





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Fish and Wildlife Servce



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50 CFR Part 20



Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Framework for Early-Season Migratory 
Bird Hunting Regulations and Regulatory Alternatives for the 2000-01 
Duck Hunting Season; Notice of Meeting; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 147 / Monday, July 31, 2000 / 
Proposed Rules  

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN: 1018-AG08


Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Early-Season 
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations and Regulatory Alternatives for the 
2000-01 Duck Hunting Season; Notice of Meeting

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are proposing to 
establish the 2000-01 early-season hunting regulations for certain 
migratory game birds. We annually prescribe frameworks, or outer 
limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur and the maximum 
number of birds that may be taken and possessed in early seasons. Early 
seasons generally open prior to October 1, and include seasons in 
Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These 
frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of final seasons and 
limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels compatible with 
population status and habitat conditions. This supplement to the 
proposed rule of April 25, 2000, also provides the regulatory 
alternatives for the 2000-01 duck hunting season.

DATES: You must submit comments on the proposed migratory bird hunting-
season frameworks for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, 
and other early seasons by August 10, 2000, and for the forthcoming 
proposed late-season frameworks by September 8, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on these proposals to the Chief, Division 
of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Department of the Interior, room 634-Arlington Square, 1849 C Street, 
NW, Washington, DC 20240. All comments received, including names and 
addresses, will become part of the public record. You may inspect 
comments during normal business hours in room 634, Arlington Square 
Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Andrew, Chief, or Ron W. 
Kokel, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, (703) 358-1714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations Schedule for 2000

    On April 25, 2000, we published in the Federal Register (65 FR 
24260) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal dealt with the 
establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for migratory 
game birds under Secs. 20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of 
subpart K. On June 20, 2000, we published in the Federal Register (65 
FR 38400) a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- 
and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations frameworks and the 
proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2000-01 duck hunting season. 
The June 20 supplement also provided detailed information on the 2000-
01 regulatory schedule and announced the Service Migratory Bird 
Regulations Committee and Flyway Council meetings.
    This document, the third in a series of proposed, supplemental, and 
final rulemaking documents for migratory bird hunting regulations, 
deals specifically with proposed frameworks for early-season 
regulations and the final regulatory alternatives for the 2000-01 duck 
hunting season. It will lead to final frameworks from which States may 
select season dates, shooting hours, and daily bag and possession 
limits for the 2000-01 season. We have considered all pertinent 
comments received through July 7, 2000, on the April 25 and June 20, 
2000, rulemaking documents in developing this document. In addition, 
new proposals for certain early-season regulations are provided for 
public comment. Comment periods are specified above under DATES. We 
will publish final regulatory frameworks for early seasons in the 
Federal Register on or about August 20, 2000.

Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee Meetings

    Participants at the June 21-22, 2000, meetings reviewed information 
on the current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and 
developed 2000-01 migratory game bird regulations recommendations for 
these species plus regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, 
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; special September waterfowl 
seasons in designated States; special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic 
Flyway; and extended falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and 
discussed preliminary information on the status of waterfowl as it 
relates to the development and selection of the regulatory packages for 
the 2000-01 regular waterfowl seasons. Participants at the previously 
announced August 2-3, 2000, meetings will review information on the 
current status of waterfowl and develop 2000-01 migratory game bird 
regulations recommendations for regular waterfowl seasons and other 
species and seasons not previously discussed at the early season 
meetings. In accordance with Department of the Interior policy, these 
meetings are open to public observation and you may submit written 
comments to the Director of the Service on the matters discussed.

Population Status and Harvest

    The following paragraphs provide preliminary information on the 
status of waterfowl and information on the status and harvest of 
migratory shore and upland game birds.

May Breeding Waterfowl and Habitat Survey

    In the Western or Traditional survey area, conditions were much 
drier this spring than the previous 6 years. These dry conditions are 
reflected in the Prairie May ponds estimate of 3.9 0.1 
million, down 41 percent from 1999 and 20 percent below the 1974-99 
average. Conditions ranged from poor in much of Alberta and parts of 
Montana and Saskatchewan to fair to good in most other areas. Only 
portions of northern Manitoba and the Dakotas were in excellent 
condition. In June, much of the prairie received heavy rains. While 
this may have increased breeding habitat quantity and quality, heavy 
rains in the Dakotas may have caused flooding and loss of nests. 
Southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba were in generally fair condition, 
and the Dakotas were in generally good condition, while most of 
Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba were in good to excellent condition. 
In Alaska, a significant cooling down changed an early warm spring into 
a cool, late spring, resulting in a 2-3 week later-than-normal ice 
breakup. In Alaska, a later spring generally results in lower 
production. Overall, May habitat conditions in the traditional survey 
area were poor to good, improving to the north and east. July surveys 
will help determine if recent rain helped duck production.
    Winter and spring were also warm and dry in the Eastern survey 
area. A seemingly early spring cooled down markedly, especially in 
Labrador, Newfoundland, and Eastern Quebec. In these easternmost 
regions, spring was 2-3 weeks behind normal. Water levels in 
southwestern Ontario, Maine, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick are higher 
this year than last year. However, southern Ontario and southern Quebec 
are drier than normal. In southwest Ontario, Maine, and the Maritimes,

[[Page 46841]]

heavy thunderstorms in May caused severe flooding and may have caused 
much renesting. Overall, habitat conditions in the east are generally 
good, with the exception of some areas of southern Ontario and 
southern/central Quebec, where low water levels resulted in fair to 
poor habitat conditions. Overall, the survey area was in generally good 
condition, and production is expected to be good this year.
    The 2000 total duck population estimate for the traditional survey 
area was 41.8 0.7 million birds. This was similar to last 
year's record estimate of 43.4 0.7 million birds, and still 
27 percent above the 1955-99 average. Mallard abundance was 9.5 
0.3 million, which is 12 percent below last year's record 
estimate but still 27 percent above the 1955-99 average. Blue-winged 
teal abundance was estimated at a record high of 7.4 0.4 
million. This was similar to last year's estimate of 7.1 million, and 
69 percent above the 1955-99 average. Gadwall (3.2 0.2, 
+100 percent), green-winged teal (3.2 0.2 million, +80 
percent), northern shovelers (3.5 0.2 million, +73 
percent), and redheads (0.9 0.1 million, +50 percent) were 
all above their long-term averages, while northern pintails (2.9 
0.2 million, -33 percent) and scaup (4.0 0.2 
million, -25 percent) were again below their long-term averages. Green-
winged teal was the only species that increased over 1999, an increase 
of 21 percent.
    This year, new areas have again been included in the Eastern survey 
area. In addition, we have redefined the total duck composition of this 
area to include scoters and mergansers, because they are important 
breeding species in this survey area. Therefore, the eastern 1999 total 
duck estimate used this year is not the same as that published last 
year. The 2000 total duck population estimate for the eastern survey 
area was 2.6 0.3 million birds, similar to last year's 
total duck estimate of 2.9 0.2 million birds. Abundances of 
individual species were similar to last year, with the exception of 
scaup (116.1 32 thousand, +296 percent), scoters (182.1 
59 thousand, +288 percent), and green-winged teal (201.6 
28.7 thousand, -52 percent).

Status of Teal

    Blue-winged teal abundance this spring was a record high of 7.4 
0.4 million, which is similar to last year's estimate of 
7.1 million and 69 percent above the 1955-99 average. This population 
size is well above the 4.6 million trigger level needed for the liberal 
16-day teal season in the Central and Mississippi Flyways and a 9-day 
teal season in the Atlantic Flyway. Green-winged teal abundance was 
estimated at 3.2 0.2 million, which is 21 percent above 
last year's estimate and 80 percent above the long-term average.
    The 1999-2000 season was the second consecutive year of an extended 
(16 days vs. 9 days) September teal season in the Central and 
Mississippi Flyways. Preliminary harvest estimates from last year's 
September teal season in the Mississippi Flyway indicate that harvest 
increased from 266,000 to 413,000 teal, an increase of 55 percent over 
the 1998 September teal season. Preliminary estimates in the Central 
Flyway indicate that harvest decreased from 160,000 to 126,000 birds, a 
decrease of 23 percent over the 1998 September teal season. The total 
estimated harvest in the Mississippi and Central Flyways was 539,000 
cinnamon, blue- and green-winged teal, which is 26 percent more than 
the 1998 September teal season harvests.
    Last year, the Atlantic Flyway also participated in the second year 
of its 3-year experimental September teal season. Six States harvested 
an estimated 32,000 blue- and green-winged teal, an increase of 33 
percent over the 1998 September teal season harvest of 24,000. 
Additionally, the Atlantic Flyway completed the second year of its 
required spy blind assessment of attempt rates at nontarget species. 
Results indicate that the average nontarget attempt rates for 1999 were 
virtually identical to those in 1998 (19 percent in 1998 vs. 20 percent 
in 1999). Since only 2 years of the required 3-year study have been 
completed, results are incomplete at this time. However, we note that a 
few individual States have exceeded the maximum acceptable nontarget 
attempt rate of 25 percent. After the third year, we will conduct a 
full assessment of nontarget attempt rates and review the further 
continuation of the season.

Sandhill Cranes

    The Mid-Continent Population of Sandhill Cranes appears to have 
stabilized following dramatic increases in the early 1980's. The 
Central Platte River Valley 2000 preliminary spring index, uncorrected 
for visibility, was 488,000. The photo-corrected 3-year average for the 
1997-99 period was 450,126, which was within the established 
population-objective range of 343,000-465,000 cranes. All Central 
Flyway States, except Nebraska, elected to allow crane hunting in 
portions of their respective States in 1999-2000. About 6,700 hunters 
participated in these seasons, which was 18 percent lower than the 
previous year's seasons. About 19,800 cranes were harvested in 1999-
2000 in the Central Flyway, a 7 percent decrease from the previous 
year's high estimate. Harvests from the Pacific Flyway, Canada, and 
Mexico are estimated to be about 13,800 for the 1999-2000 sport-hunting 
seasons. The total North American sport harvest, including crippling 
losses, was estimated to be about 37,207 for the Mid-Continent 
Population.
    The fall 1999 premigration survey estimate for the Rocky Mountain 
Population was 19,501, which is similar to the 1998 estimate of 18,202. 
Limited special seasons were held during 1999 in portions of Arizona, 
Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, resulting in an 
estimated harvest of 658 cranes.

Woodcock

    Singing-ground and Wing-collection surveys were conducted to assess 
the population status of the American woodcock (Scolopax minor). 
Singing-ground Survey data from 2000 indicate that the number of 
displaying woodcock in the Eastern Region decreased 11.0 percent (P0.1) 
from 1999 levels. In the Central Region, there was a 10.4 percent 
increase in the number of woodcock heard displaying (P0.1) compared to 
1999 levels. Trends from the Singing-ground Survey during 1990-00 were 
negative (-3.5 and -3.1 percent per year for the Eastern and Central 
regions, respectively; P0.01). There were long-term (1968-00) declines 
(P0.01) of 2.3 percent per year in the Eastern Region and 1.6 percent 
per year in the Central Region.
    The 1999 recruitment index for the Eastern Region (1.1 immatures 
per adult female) was 35 percent below the long-term regional average; 
the recruitment index for the Central Region (1.2 immatures per adult 
female) was 29 percent below the long-term regional average. The index 
of daily hunting success in the Eastern Region increased from 1.9 
woodcock per successful hunt in 1998 to 2.0 woodcock per successful 
hunt in 1999, and seasonal hunting success increased 3 percent, from 
7.2 to 7.4 woodcock per successful hunter in 1998 and 1999, 
respectively. In the Central Region, the daily success index in 1999 
was unchanged from the 1998 index (2.1 woodcock per successful hunt) 
but the seasonal success index decreased 11 percent from 11.3 to 10.0 
woodcock per successful hunter.

Band-Tailed Pigeons and Doves

    The status of the Coastal population of band-tailed pigeons appears 
to be improving. While a significant decline

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occurred between 1968-99 as indicated by the Breeding Bird Survey 
(BBS), no trend was indicated over the most recent 10 years. 
Additionally, mineral site counts at 10 selected sites in Oregon 
indicate a steady increase over the past 10 years. The count in 1999 
was 65 percent above the previous 31-year average. Call-count surveys 
conducted in Washington showed a nonsignificant decline between the 
1975-99 and 1995-99 periods. Washington has opted not to select a 
hunting season for bandtails since 1991. The harvest of Coastal pigeons 
is estimated to be about 23,000 birds out of a population of about 3 
million. The Interior band-tailed pigeon population is stable with no 
trend indicated by the BBS over the short- or long-term periods. 
Harvest estimates range from 1,300 to 1,900 birds. Analyses of Mourning 
Dove Call-count Survey data indicated significant declines in doves 
heard over the most recent 10 years and the entire 35 years of the 
survey in all three management units. A project has been funded 
recently to develop mourning dove population models for each unit to 
provide guidance in what needs to be done to improve our decision-
making process with respect to harvest management. White-winged doves 
in Arizona are maintaining a fairly stable population since the 1970's. 
Between 1999 and 2000, the average number of doves heard per route 
doubled from 25 to 50. A low harvest (142,000 in 1999) is being 
maintained compared with birds taken several decades ago. In Texas, the 
phenomenon of the white-winged dove expansion continues. The population 
in the Lower Rio Grande Valley increased 19 percent from 1999 to an 
estimated 507,000 birds; in Upper South Texas, the count increased 7 
percent to 999,000; and, in West Texas, the count increased 94 percent 
to 33,000. The whitewing population may reach epidemic proportions in 
5-10 years and could begin causing substantial damage to agricultural 
crops being grown near cities that have a large population of 
whitewings. Hunting does not appear to be having any effect upon these 
norther urban nesters.

Review of Public Comments

    The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the April 25 
Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory game 
bird hunting regulations. The supplemental proposed rule, which 
appeared in the June 20 Federal Register, defined the public comment 
period for the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2000-01 duck 
hunting season. The public comment period for the proposed regulatory 
alternatives ended July 7, 2000. Early-season comments and comments 
pertaining to the proposed alternatives are summarized below and 
numbered in the order used in the April 25 Federal Register document. 
Only the numbered items pertaining to early-seasons issues and the 
proposed regulatory alternatives for which written comments were 
received are included. Consequently, the issues do not follow in direct 
numerical or alphabetical order.
    We received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils. Some 
recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due 
to the comprehensive nature of the annual review of the frameworks 
performed by the Councils, support for continuation of last year's 
frameworks is assumed for items for which no recommendations were 
received. Council recommendations for changes in the frameworks are 
summarized below.
    We seek additional information and comments on the recommendations 
in this supplemental proposed rule. New proposals and modifications to 
previously described proposals are discussed below. Wherever possible, 
they are discussed under headings corresponding to the numbered items 
in the April 25, 2000, Federal Register document.

1. Ducks

    Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest 
management are: (A) Harvest Strategy Considerations, (B) Regulatory 
Alternatives, (C) Zones and Split Seasons, and (D) Special Seasons/
Species Management. The categories correspond to previously published 
issues/discussion, and only those containing substantial 
recommendations are discussed below.
A. Harvest Strategy Considerations
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that duck hunting regulations in the Atlantic Flyway for the 2000-01 
season be based on the optimal harvest strategy for eastern mallards.
    Service Response: In the June 20, 2000, Federal Register document, 
we proposed to modify the existing Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) 
protocol to account for the status of mallards breeding in eastern 
North America. Based on a technical assessment completed in January 
2000 (available on the Internet at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/reports/reports.html), there appear to be two possible approaches to 
modifying the current AHM protocol. The first would involve a single 
joint optimization of midcontinent and eastern mallard harvests. This 
approach would result in optimal regulatory choices for the Atlantic 
Flyway and for the remaining Flyways as a group for each possible 
combination of midcontinent population size, pond numbers in Canada, 
and eastern mallard population size. The characteristic feature of this 
approach is that all regulatory choices, regardless of harvest area, 
would be predicated on the status of both midcontinent and eastern 
mallards (with the degree of dependence based on each harvest area's 
unique combination of mallard populations). The second alternative 
would entail two separate harvest optimizations, in which the Atlantic 
Flyway regulation would be based solely on the status of eastern 
mallards, and the regulatory choice for the remainder of the country 
would be based solely on the status of midcontinent mallards. Both 
alternatives would be expected to significantly increase the frequency 
of liberal regulations in the Atlantic Flyway.
    The recent technical assessment of AHM for eastern mallards 
formally considered only the large-scale status of mallard populations, 
and not the status of local breeding populations or segments of 
populations with affinities for certain wintering areas. Thus, it is 
not clear how AHM for eastern mallards might affect mallards at 
relatively small spatial scales. Some concern has been expressed 
regarding potential impacts of a modified AHM protocol on midcontinent 
mallards breeding in the Great Lakes States, and for midcontinent 
mallards that winter in the southern Atlantic Flyway. For those 
mallards breeding in the Great Lakes States and wintering in the 
Mississippi Flyway, a single, joint optimization of midcontinent and 
eastern mallards could result in a higher frequency of more liberal 
regulations in the Mississippi Flyway than would be the case in the 
absence of an accounting for eastern mallards. Only a small proportion 
(about 4 percent based on recent analyses) of Great Lakes' mallards 
winter in the Atlantic Flyway, so regulations there should have minimal 
impact on this population segment. On the other hand, the southern 
Atlantic Flyway derives a relatively high proportion of its wintering 
mallards from the midcontinent population, and it's not clear how a 
modified AHM protocol might affect this population segment.
    Also, the recent assessment of AHM for eastern mallards did not 
formally consider potential impacts on species

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other than mallards. Although the concern for other species is 
heightened by the prospect of more frequent liberal regulations in the 
Atlantic Flyway, the issue is no less a concern under the existing AHM 
protocol. Therefore, it is imperative to move quickly to consider how 
other key species might be incorporated into the AHM protocol. However, 
we reiterate that a full-featured AHM approach for all species is not 
realistic, and that concerns over many species necessarily will be 
handled on an as-needed basis.
    The decision about how to account for eastern mallards in AHM would 
not affect the specification of the regulatory alternatives. The 
prescribed regulatory alternative for the Atlantic Flyway would consist 
of one of the existing regulatory alternatives. The only change is that 
the regulatory alternative prescribed for the Atlantic Flyway might 
differ from that prescribed for the remainder of the country. The 
Atlantic Flyway Council will have the opportunity to consider changes 
to the set of regulatory alternatives at the same time as the other 
Flyway Councils. The AHM technical working group is currently 
developing a recommended schedule and criteria for such changes.
    We support appropriate modifications to the existing AHM protocol 
to account for eastern mallards, and will consider the implications 
discussed in the referenced technical report, as well as all public 
comment, in proposing a regulatory alternative for the Atlantic Flyway 
for the 2000-01 hunting season. In the meantime, we seek further 
discussion and review of this issue among the Flyway Councils at their 
joint meeting in July 2000. Modifications, if any, to the current AHM 
protocol will be proposed along with the late-season regulatory 
frameworks.
B. Regulatory Alternatives
    Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of 
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the regulations 
alternatives from 1999 be used in 2000, except that the framework 
opening and closing dates in all alternatives should be the Saturday 
nearest September 23 to the Sunday nearest January 28, with appropriate 
offsets (e.g., reduction in season length) as determined by the 
Service.
    The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended that the framework opening and closing dates in all 
regulatory alternatives should be the Saturday nearest September 23 to 
the Sunday nearest January 28, with no penalties in season length.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended the continued use of the 
1999 regulatory alternatives for the 2000-01 season, but with 
modifications. The Council recommended a framework opening date of the 
Saturday closest to September 24 in the ``liberal'' and ``moderate'' 
regulatory alternatives with no offsets, and a framework closing date 
of the Sunday closest to January 25. Additionally, the Council 
recommended that no additional changes be allowed to the alternatives 
for a 5-year period.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the set of regulatory 
alternatives for the 2000-01 hunting season remain unchanged from those 
adopted in 1999.
    Service Response: Due to the continuing absence of agreement among 
States and Flyways about how best to modify framework dates, no changes 
were made to the regulatory alternatives proposed in the June 20, 2000 
Federal Register. We reiterate that our desire is to maintain current 
framework-date specifications through the 2002-03 hunting season, or 
until such time that the Flyway Councils can develop an approach that 
adequately addresses the concerns of the Service and a majority of 
States.
    For the 2000-01 regular duck hunting season, we will use the four 
regulatory alternatives detailed in the accompanying table. 
Alternatives are specified for each Flyway and are designated as ``VERY 
RES'' for the very restrictive, ``RES'' for the restrictive, ``MOD'' 
for the moderate, and ``LIB'' for the liberal alternative. We will 
propose a specific regulatory alternative in early August when survey 
data on waterfowl population and habitat status are available.
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
iii. September Teal Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended 
that Nebraska be allowed to have an experimental 9-day teal season in 
the nonproduction area of the State.
    Service Response: We concur with the Central Flyway Council's 
recommendation for an experimental 9-day special September teal season 
in the nonproduction area of Nebraska. The State would be required to 
evaluate the impacts to nontarget waterfowl species by conducting 
hunter performance surveys. This season will be experimental for a 3-
year period but must include a pre-sunrise evaluation in order to have 
shooting hours begin \1/2\-hour before sunrise.
iv. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of 
the Mississippi Flyway Council requested that the Service and the 
Council's Wood Duck Technical Committee move forward during the current 
year (2000) to allow for implementation of a wood duck Flyway harvest 
management strategy by the year 2001 as scheduled. The Committee 
further recommended that September seasons remain an option for 
delineated wood duck reference areas (population units), provided that 
specified data-collection requirements are met.
    Written Comments: Three individuals questioned the rationale for 
the Service's decision to terminate September teal/wood duck seasons 
when information indicating that such seasons are detrimental to wood 
duck populations seems to be lacking.
    Service Response: September teal/wood duck seasons in Florida, 
Kentucky, and Tennessee have been in an experimental status since their 
inception in 1981. We have consistently requested that States collect 
information to evaluate these special seasons, including hunter and 
harvest surveys, banding, and population surveys. In 1986, due to 
decreases in wood duck survival rates in Kentucky and Tennessee, we 
restricted the bag limit during Experimental September teal/wood duck 
seasons to include no more than two wood ducks. At that time, we also 
noted that preseason wood duck banding in Florida was not sufficient to 
allow assessment of the impacts associated with the Experimental 
September season (51 FR 24418). On March 13, 1987 (52 FR 7997), we 
indicated that although September teal/wood duck seasons are in 
principle a feasible harvest management strategy, the situation with 
regard to their evaluation, including flyway-wide aspects of the 
management of target species, and their suitability for widespread 
application was under review. At that time, we also reaffirmed the need 
for cooperative studies that are flyway-oriented in scope to better 
understand and manage wood ducks. On June 6, 1990 (55 FR 23179), we 
noted that preseason banding programs were not meeting the regional 
requirements for sample size and distribution necessary to evaluate 
special seasons for wood ducks on a State-by-State basis. We stated 
that unless arrangements could be made to initiate regional banding 
programs and facilitate widespread data collection, experimental 
seasons may be modified or suspended (55 FR 23179). During

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1991-96, a cooperative Wood Duck Population Monitoring-Initiative was 
undertaken by the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils and the 
Service to improve population-monitoring programs. We agreed not to 
discontinue or expand Experimental September teal/wood duck seasons 
until the Initiative was completed. Results from the Initiative 
indicated that wood duck population-monitoring programs at geographic 
scales below the flyway level were not meeting requisite sample sizes. 
Our evaluation of September teal/wood duck seasons in Florida, 
Kentucky, and Tennessee indicated that estimates of population 
parameters for individual States are usually imprecise, which precludes 
drawing meaningful conclusions about State or regional wood duck 
harvest-management experiments (63 FR 13751).
    On August 28, 1998 (63 FR 46126), we stated our intent to 
discontinue September teal/wood duck seasons in Florida, Kentucky, and 
Tennessee after September 2000, due to our inability to adequately 
evaluate such seasons. We also stated that, without adequate regional 
population monitoring, wood duck harvest management should be 
approached at the flyway level during the regular season. During the 
interim, a flyway-wide harvest strategy was to be developed and ready 
for implementation during the 2001-02 regular season. We met with 
representatives from the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Council 
Technical Sections in September 1999 to discuss technical aspects of 
flyway wood duck harvest strategies. Development of the technical 
foundation for the strategy commenced following the working group 
meeting. A progress report of this work will be made at the Flyway 
Council meetings in July 2000. It is likely that several Technical 
Section representatives will be asked to attend a follow-up meeting in 
the Fall to address Council concerns and suggestions for a flyway wood 
duck harvest strategy. A draft harvest strategy will be distributed to 
Technical Sections prior to their February 2001 meetings. A final 
harvest strategy will be forwarded to the Flyway Councils for their 
consideration prior to their March 2001 meeting.
    September wood duck seasons remain an option for delineated wood 
duck population units, provided that regional data-collection 
requirements are met. Such seasons should not be approached on a State-
by-State basis. The final report of the Wood Duck Population-Monitoring 
Initiative outlined many of the sample size requirements needed for 
regional monitoring programs. We point out that the Initiative 
represented a period when Federal and State cooperators made special 
efforts to improve regional wood duck monitoring programs. The final 
report of the Initiative indicated that this goal was not achieved. 
Before a proposal for regional September wood duck seasons is 
considered in the future, we request that the Flyway Councils review 
the results of the Initiative and indicate how failure to achieve 
requisite regional sample sizes in the past will be avoided in the 
future.
v. Youth Hunt
    Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of 
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a special 2-day youth 
waterfowl hunt for the 2000-01 season.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended expansion of the special 
youth waterfowl hunt to 2 days.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that the Service allow 
States the opportunity to select up to 2 consecutive days for a youth 
waterfowl hunt outside the general season and frameworks in 2000.
    Service Response: In light of the continuing interest from the 
Flyway Councils, we have decided to expand the special youth waterfowl 
hunt to 2 consecutive days. Anecdotal data suggest that the special 
hunt has proven to be very popular and has provided an excellent 
opportunity to introduce youth hunters to the sport of waterfowling and 
waterfowl and wetland conservation. Expansion of the special hunt to 2 
consecutive days should reduce travel difficulties and scheduling 
conflicts inherent with the current 1-day hunt.
    Based on the limited number of youths participating, we do not 
expect any significant increase in harvest due to the expansion of the 
opportunity, and thus no significant impact on waterfowl populations.

4. Canada Geese

A. Special Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of 
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the three counties near 
Saginaw Bay in Michigan (Huron, Saginaw, and Tuscola), which previously 
have been closed in the special early Canada goose season, be allowed 
an experimental special early season with a two-bird daily bag limit.
    The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council urged the Service to use caution in changing or expanding 
special goose seasons.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended that the framework closing 
date for operational September Canada goose seasons in the Central 
Flyway be extended to September 30 with no additional evaluation 
required.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended that Wyoming's daily bag and 
season limits be increased from 2 and 4, to 3 and 6 birds, 
respectively, and that the bag and possession limits for Washington's 
September season increase from 3 and 6, to 5 and 10, respectively.
    Service Response: Results of the previous experimental season in 
the three Saginaw-Bay Counties in Michigan indicated a substantial 
proportion of migrant Canada geese in the special-season harvest. The 
current proposal for a repetition of the experiment documents a 
significant increase in the number of resident Canada geese in the area 
since that time, but information concerning the population composition 
during the first half of September is sketchy. We agree that the change 
in resident Canada goose numbers warrants another experiment, but 
because of the small amount of information about the proportion of 
migrants in early September, we feel that the season should not extend 
beyond September 10.
    We do not support the Central Flyway recommendation to remove 
evaluation requirements (August 29, 1995 Federal Register) for Special 
September Canada goose seasons for the period between September 16-30. 
Past experience with these special seasons has shown seasons during 
September 1-15 generally achieve the objective of targeting resident 
Canada geese and this period has been designated as operational. In 
contrast, harvests during the period of September 16-30 has indicated 
an increasing proportional take of migrant stocks of geese. We have no 
experience with special seasons in the Central Flyway during September 
16-30, and the impacts on nontarget populations of Canada geese have 
not been determined. Although impacts to nontarget populations of 
Canada geese that are over objective levels may not be of immediate 
concern, we believe that evaluation during this period is necessary to 
insure that the objective of targeting resident geese is maintained. 
According to established special season guidelines, Central Flyway 
States have the option to conduct an experimental hunt during the late-
September period with an appropriate evaluation. Although collection of 
neck collar data may not be possible due to low numbers of marked 
geese, current guidelines

[[Page 46845]]

allow for the use of morphological information of harvested geese to 
access the proportion of migrant geese during this period. Because 
migrant Canada geese are limited to small subspecies of the Tall Grass 
Prairie Population in the East-Tier States and the Short Grass Prairie 
Population in the West-Tier States, we believe that tail fan 
measurements of harvested geese will be sufficient to determine the 
proportion of harvested migrant geese. In the event that States are 
interested in conducting an experimental season during this period, we 
will cooperatively work with State personnel to determine appropriate 
sample sizes necessary to access proportional harvests of migrant 
Canada geese as required by existing guidelines for the experimental 
seasons.
    Regarding the Lower-Region Regulation Committee's concern for 
cumulative impacts of special-season harvests on migrant Canada goose 
populations of concern, we are aware of the Committee's concern and are 
monitoring the harvests occurring during these seasons.
    We concur with the Pacific Flyway Council recommendation.
B. Regular Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of 
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the 1999 regular-goose-
season opening date be as early as September 16 in Michigan and 
Wisconsin. The Committee further recommended that the framework opening 
date for regular goose seasons in the Mississippi Flyway be September 
16.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended that the framework opening 
date for regular dark-goose seasons in the East and West Tiers be fixed 
at September 1, rather than the current opening date of the Saturday 
nearest October 1.
    Service Response: We do not support the Central Flyway's 
recommendation for changing the dark-goose framework opening dates from 
the Saturday nearest October 1 to September 1 or the Mississippi 
Flyway's light-and dark-goose seasons from the Saturday nearest October 
1 to September 16. We have minimal experience with regular goose 
seasons that begin prior to the Saturday nearest October 1 and believe 
that management of several migratory goose populations would require 
complex spacial and temporal considerations within this period to 
address needs of various populations. The change in the framework 
opening date to earlier in September would require the movement of 
goose frameworks from the late-to the early-season process and, for 
some populations, would result in a serious timing problem in that 
decisions would have to be made prior to having breeding-ground 
information. We are also developing a management strategy for resident 
Canada geese that will allow for States to have more flexibility in 
addressing human/goose conflicts caused by growing populations of 
resident geese, and we believe that changes such as this may impede 
progress.

9. Sandhill Cranes

    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended a 
95-day season with the option for a two-way split season for the 
hunting of Mid-Continent sandhill cranes. This change would result in a 
37-day season length increase in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, 
Kansas, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado and a 2-day season length 
increase in Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico.
    The Council further recommended that the open area for the hunting 
of Mid-Continent sandhill cranes be extended eastward to the 
Mississippi Flyway. The Council recommends a season length of 37 days 
with outside framework dates of September 1 and February 28, and a 
daily bag/possession limit of 3 and 9, respectively, for this expanded 
area.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a boundary modification in 
Box Elder County, Utah, to exclude that portion of the County known to 
be used by greater sandhill cranes affiliated with the Lower Colorado 
River Population.
    Service Response: We do not support the Central Flyway Council's 
recommendations to liberalize hunting seasons on the Mid-Continent 
Population of sandhill cranes. We believe that last year's hunting 
regulations should be maintained until ongoing satellite-transmitter 
tracking studies are completed. Recent genetic information on 
subspecies composition has further complicated management of the two 
identified subpopulations. We believe that information regarding the 
population status and harvests of the two subpopulations must be 
further refined before additional changes are implemented. Annual 
indices to the total Mid-Continent Population remain stable; however, 
harvests continue to increase. The proposed regulations changes along 
the eastern portion of the Mid-Continent range in the Flyway would 
affect the Gulf Coast Subpopulation, which contains almost all of the 
greater sandhill cranes in this population.
    We concur with the Pacific Flyway Council recommendation.

12. Rails

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
that those States divided between the Central and Pacific Flyways be 
allowed to select rail-season frameworks, on a statewide basis, that 
conform with the Central Management Unit frameworks.
    Service Response: We concur.

13. Snipe

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
that those States divided between the Central and Pacific Flyways be 
allowed to select snipe-season frameworks, on a statewide basis, that 
conform with the Central Management Unit frameworks.
    Service Response: We concur.

14. Woodcock

    Written Comments: An individual from Minnesota felt that the daily 
bag limit for woodcock should be four birds, and that the framework 
opening date for the Mississippi Flyway should be September 1, rather 
than the Saturday nearest September 22.
    Service Response: In response to long-term population declines, we 
implemented several framework changes in 1997 to reduce the harvest of 
woodcock. In the Central Region, the bag limit was reduced from five to 
three birds, season length was reduced from 65 to 45 days, and the 
framework opening date was changed to the Saturday nearest September 22 
(rather than September 1). Based on harvest information for various bag 
limits, it was determined that a reduction from five to three birds was 
necessary to achieve a meaningful reduction in harvest. Furthermore, a 
framework opening date of the Saturday nearest September 22 was 
contained in an interim woodcock harvest strategy proposed by the 
Mississippi Flyway Council in 1997 (62 FR 44232). The framework date we 
adopted reflected the opening date proposed in the Flyway Council 
strategy.

15. Band-tailed Pigeons

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a 
change in frameworks for Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons from 1999 to 
increase the possession limit from two to four birds.
    Service Response: We concur.

16. Mourning Doves

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
that those States divided between the

[[Page 46846]]

Central and Pacific Flyways be allowed to select dove season 
frameworks, on a statewide basis, that conform with the Central 
Management Unit frameworks.
    Service Response: We concur.

18. Alaska

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a 
reduction in sandhill crane bag limits from three to two in that 
portion of the State associated with the Pacific Flyway Population of 
lesser sandhill cranes.
    Service Response: We concur.

Public Comment Invited

    The Department of the Interior's policy is, whenever practicable, 
to afford the public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking 
process. We intend that adopted final rules be as responsive as 
possible to all concerned interests and, therefore, seek the comments 
and suggestions of the public, other concerned governmental agencies, 
nongovernmental organizations, and other private interests on these 
proposals. Accordingly, we invite interested persons to submit written 
comments, suggestions, or recommendations regarding the proposed 
regulations to the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.
    Special circumstances involved in the establishment of these 
regulations limit the amount of time that we can allow for public 
comment. Specifically, two considerations compress the time in which 
the rulemaking process must operate: (1) The need to establish final 
rules at a point early enough in the summer to allow affected State 
agencies to appropriately adjust their licensing and regulatory 
mechanisms; and (2) the unavailability, before mid-June, of specific, 
reliable data on this year's status of some waterfowl and migratory 
shore and upland game bird populations. Therefore, we believe that to 
allow comment periods past the dates specified is contrary to the 
public interest.
    Before promulgation of final migratory game bird hunting 
regulations, we will take into consideration all comments received. 
Such comments, and any additional information received, may lead to 
final regulations that differ from these proposals.
    You may inspect comments received on the proposed annual 
regulations during normal business hours at the Service's office in 
room 634, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia. For each 
series of proposed rulemakings, we will establish specific comment 
periods. We will consider, but possibly may not respond in detail to, 
each comment. However, as in the past, we will summarize all comments 
received during the comment period and respond to them after the 
closing date in the final rule.

NEPA Consideration

    NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic document, 
``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual 
Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88-
14),'' filed with the Environmental Protection Agency on June 9, 1988. 
We published a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on June 
16, 1988 (53 FR 22582). We published our Record of Decision on August 
18, 1988 (53 FR 31341). Copies are available from the address indicated 
under the caption ADDRESSES.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

    Prior to issuance of the 2000-01 migratory game bird hunting 
regulations, we will consider provisions of the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973, as amended, (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543; hereinafter the Act) to 
ensure that hunting is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence 
of any species designated as endangered or threatened or modify or 
destroy its critical habitat and that the proposed action is consistent 
with conservation programs for those species. Consultations under 
Section 7 of this Act may cause us to change proposals in this and 
future supplemental proposed rulemakings.

Executive Order 12866

    While this individual supplemental rule was not reviewed by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the migratory bird hunting 
regulations are economically significant and are annually reviewed by 
OMB under Executive Order 12866. Executive Order 12866 requires each 
agency to write regulations that are easy to understand. We invite 
comments on how to make this rule easier to understand, including 
answers to questions such as the following: (1) Are the requirements in 
the rule clearly stated? (2) Does the rule contain technical language 
or jargon that interferes with its clarity? (3) Does the format of the 
rule (grouping and order of sections, use of headings, paragraphing, 
etc.) aid or reduce its clarity? (4) Would the rule be easier to 
understand if it were divided into more (but shorter) sections? (5) Is 
the description of the rule in the ``Supplementary Information'' 
section of the preamble helpful in understanding the rule? What else 
could we do to make the rule easier to understand?

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    These regulations have a significant economic impact on substantial 
numbers of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.). We analyzed the economic impacts of the annual 
hunting regulations on small business entities in detail and issued a 
Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis) in 1998. The Analysis 
documented the significant beneficial economic effect on a substantial 
number of small entities. The primary source of information about 
hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting is the National 
Hunting and Fishing Survey, which is conducted at 5-year intervals. The 
Analysis was based on the 1996 National Hunting and Fishing Survey and 
the U.S. Department of Commerce's County Business Patterns, from which 
it was estimated that migratory bird hunters would spend between $429 
million and $1,084 million at small businesses in 1998. Copies of the 
Analysis are available upon request from the address indicated under 
the caption ADDRESSES.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This rule is a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business 
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. For the reasons outlined above, 
this rule has an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more. 
However, because this rule establishes hunting seasons, we do not plan 
to defer the effective date under the exemption contained in 5 U.S.C. 
808(1).

Paperwork Reduction Act

    We examined these regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995. We utilize the various recordkeeping and reporting requirements 
imposed under regulations established in 50 CFR part 20, Subpart K, in 
the formulation of migratory game bird hunting regulations. 
Specifically, OMB has approved the information collection requirements 
of the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program and assigned 
clearance number 1018-0015 (expires 9/30/2001). This information is 
used to provide a sampling frame for voluntary national surveys to 
improve our harvest estimates for all migratory game birds in order to 
better manage these populations. OMB has also approved the information 
collection requirements of the Sandhill Crane Harvest Questionnaire and 
assigned clearance number 1018-0023 (expires 9/30/2000). The 
information from this survey is used to estimate the

[[Page 46847]]

magnitude and the geographical and temporal distribution of harvest, 
and the portion it constitutes of the total population. A Federal 
agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to 
respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid OMB control number.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    We have determined and certify, in compliance with the requirements 
of the Unfunded Mandates Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this 
rulemaking will not ``significantly or uniquely'' affect small 
governments, and will not produce a Federal mandate of $100 million or 
more in any given year on local or State government or private 
entities. Therefore, this proposed rule is not a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988

    The Department, in promulgating this proposed rule, has determined 
that this rule will not unduly burden the judicial system and meets the 
requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.

Takings Implication Assessment

    In accordance with Executive Order 12630, this proposed rule, 
authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, does not have significant 
takings implications and does not affect any constitutionally protected 
property rights. This rule will not result in the physical occupancy of 
property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking 
of any property. In fact, this rule will allow hunters to exercise 
otherwise unavailable privileges, and, therefore, reduces restrictions 
on the use of private and public property.

Federalism Effects

    Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the 
Federal Government has been given responsibility over these species by 
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We annually prescribe frameworks from 
which the States make selections and employ guidelines to establish 
special regulations on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. 
This process preserves the ability of the States and Tribes to 
determine which seasons meet their individual needs. Any State or Tribe 
may be more restrictive than the Federal frameworks at any time. The 
frameworks are developed in a cooperative process with the States and 
the Flyway Councils. This allows States to participate in the 
development of frameworks from which they will make selections, thereby 
having an influence on their own regulations. These rules do not have a 
substantial direct effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles or 
responsibilities of Federal or State governments, or intrude on State 
policy or administration. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 
12612, these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and 
do not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

    Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.

    The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2000-01 
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 
a-j.

    Dated: July 24, 2000.
Stephen C. Saunders,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 2000-01 Early Hunting Seasons 
on Certain Migratory Game Birds

    Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated 
authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following 
proposed frameworks, which prescribe season lengths, bag limits, 
shooting hours, and outside dates within which States may select for 
certain migratory game birds between September 1, 2000, and March 10, 
2001.

General

    Dates: All outside dates noted below are inclusive.
    Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise 
specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.
    Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits 
are twice the daily bag limit.

Flyways and Management Units

Waterfowl Flyways:

    Atlantic Flyway--includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, 
Virginia, and West Virginia.
    Mississippi Flyway--includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, 
Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, 
Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
    Central Flyway--includes Colorado (east of the Continental Divide), 
Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin, 
Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east thereof), 
Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except the 
Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South 
Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide).
    Pacific Flyway--includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, 
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado, 
Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.

Management Units

Mourning Dove Management Units:
    Eastern Management Unit--All States east of the Mississippi River, 
and Louisiana.
    Central Management Unit--Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, 
Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, 
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
    Western Management Unit--Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, 
Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Woodcock Management Regions:
    Eastern Management Region--Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, 
Virginia, and West Virginia.
    Central Management Region--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, 
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, 
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, 
Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
    Other geographic descriptions are contained in a later portion of 
this document.
    Compensatory Days in the Atlantic Flyway: In the Atlantic Flyway 
States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New 
Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, 
where Sunday hunting is prohibited statewide by State law, all Sundays 
are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and 
coots).

Special September Teal Season

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season 
on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas 
delineated by State regulations:
    Atlantic Flyway--Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, 
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia,

[[Page 46848]]

and West Virginia. All seasons are experimental.
    Mississippi Flyway--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, 
Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee.
    Central Flyway--Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska (part), New 
Mexico (part), Oklahoma, and Texas. The season in Nebraska is 
experimental.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 9 consecutive 
days in the Atlantic Flyway and 16 consecutive days in the Mississippi 
and Central Flyways, except in Nebraska where the season is not to 
exceed 9 consecutive days. The daily bag limit is 4 teal.
    Shooting Hours:
    Atlantic Flyway--One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, if 
evaluated; otherwise sunrise to sunset.
    Mississippi and Central Flyways--One-half hour before sunrise to 
sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, 
and Ohio, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.

Special September Duck Seasons

    Florida: A 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September. 
The daily bag limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the 
aggregate.
    Kentucky and Tennessee: In lieu of a special September teal season, 
a 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September. The daily bag 
limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the aggregate, of which 
no more than 2 may be wood ducks.
    Iowa: Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season 
in September. All ducks that are legal during the regular duck season 
may be taken during the September segment of the season. The September 
season segment may commence no earlier than the Saturday nearest 
September 20 (September 23). The daily bag and possession limits will 
be the same as those in effect last year, but are subject to change 
during the late-season regulations process. The remainder of the 
regular duck season may not begin before October 10.

Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days

    Outside Dates: States may select 2 consecutive days per duck-
hunting zone, designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' in 
addition to their regular duck seasons. The days must be held outside 
any regular duck season on a weekend, holidays, or other non-school 
days when youth hunters would have the maximum opportunity to 
participate. The days may be held up to 14 days before or after any 
regular duck-season frameworks or within any split of a regular duck 
season, or within any other open season on migratory birds.
    Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limit may include ducks, geese, 
mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be the same as 
that allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and area 
restrictions would remain in effect.
    Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
    Participation Restrictions: Youth hunters must be 15 years of age 
or younger. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must 
accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult could not duck 
hunt but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special 
youth day.

Scoter, Eider, and Oldsquaw Ducks (Atlantic Flyway)

    Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 20.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 107 days, with 
a daily bag limit of 7, singly or in the aggregate of the listed sea-
duck species, of which no more than 4 may be scoters.
    Daily Bag Limits During the Regular Duck Season: Within the special 
sea duck areas, during the regular duck season in the Atlantic Flyway, 
States may choose to allow the above sea duck limits in addition to the 
limits applying to other ducks during the regular duck season. In all 
other areas, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular open season 
for ducks and are part of the regular duck season daily bag (not to 
exceed 4 scoters) and possession limits.
    Areas: In all coastal waters and all waters of rivers and streams 
seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire, 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in any waters 
of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which are 
separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and 
emergent vegetation in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Georgia; and in 
any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay 
which are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore, 
island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina 
and Virginia; and provided that any such areas have been described, 
delineated, and designated as special sea-duck hunting areas under the 
hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.

Special Early Canada Goose Seasons

Atlantic Flyway

    General Seasons: Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during 
September 1-15 may be selected for the Montezuma Region of New York, 
the Lake Champlain Region of New York and Vermont, the Eastern Unit of 
Maryland, and Delaware. Seasons not to exceed 20 days during September 
1-20 may be selected for the Northeast Hunt Unit of North Carolina. 
Seasons not to exceed 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected by 
New Jersey. Seasons may not exceed 25 days during September 1-25 in the 
remainder of the Flyway, except Georgia and Florida, where the season 
is closed. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, 
delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
    Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese.
    Experimental Seasons: Experimental Canada goose seasons of up to 20 
days during September 1-20 may be selected by New York (Montezuma 
Region). Experimental seasons of up to 30 days during September 1-30 
may be selected by New York (Long Island Zone), North Carolina (except 
in the Northeast Hunt Unit), and South Carolina. Areas open to the 
hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated 
as such in each State's hunting regulations.
    Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese.

Mississippi Flyway

    General Seasons: Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during 
September 1-15 may be selected, except in the Upper Peninsula in 
Michigan, where the season may not extend beyond September 10. The 
daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open to the 
hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated 
as such in each State's hunting regulations.
    Experimental Seasons: An experimental Canada goose season of up to 
7 consecutive days during September 16--22 may be selected by 
Minnesota, except in the Northwest Goose Zone. The daily bag limit may 
not exceed 5 Canada geese.
    An experimental Canada goose season of up to 10 consecutive days 
during September 1--10 may be selected by Michigan for Huron, Saginaw, 
and Tuscola Counties, except that the Shiawassee National Wildlife 
Refuge, Shiawassee River State Game Area Refuge, and the Fish Point 
Wildlife Area Refuge will remain closed. The daily bag limit may not 
exceed 2 Canada geese.

Central Flyway

    General Seasons: Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during 
September 1-15 may be selected. The

[[Page 46849]]

daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open to the 
hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated 
as such in each State's hunting regulations.

Pacific Flyway

    General Seasons: Wyoming may select an 8-day season on Canada geese 
between September 1-15. This season is subject to the following 
conditions:
    1. Where applicable, the season must be concurrent with the 
September portion of the sandhill crane season.
    2. All participants must have a valid State permit for the special 
season.
    3. A daily bag limit of 3, with season and possession limits of 6 
will apply to the special season.
    Oregon may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days 
during the period September 1-15. In addition, in the NW goose 
management zone, a 15-day season may be selected during the period 
September 1-20. Any portion of the season selected between September 16 
and 20 will be considered experimental. Daily bag limits may not exceed 
5 Canada geese. In the NW goose zone, at a minimum, Oregon must provide 
an annual evaluation of the number of dusky Canada geese present in the 
hunt zone during the period September 16-20 and agree to adjust seasons 
as necessary to avoid any potential harvest of dusky Canada geese.
    Washington may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 
days during the period September 1-15. Daily bag limits may not exceed 
5 Canada geese.
    Idaho may select a 15-day season in the special East Canada Goose 
Zone, as described in State regulations, during the period September 1-
15. All participants must have a valid State permit, and the total 
number of permits issued is not to exceed 110 for this zone. The daily 
bag limit is 2.
    Idaho may select a 7-day Canada Goose Season during the period 
September 1-15 in Nez Perce County, with a bag limit of 4.
    California may select a 9-day season in Humboldt County during the 
period September 1-15. The daily bag limit is 2.
    Areas open to hunting of Canada geese in each State must be 
described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting 
regulations.

Regular Goose Seasons

    Regular goose seasons may open as early as September 16 in 
Wisconsin and Michigan. Season lengths, bag and possession limits, and 
other provisions will be established during the late-season regulations 
process.

Sandhill Cranes

    Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway:
    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28.
    Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to exceed 58 consecutive days may be 
selected in designated portions of the following States: Colorado, 
Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Seasons not 
to exceed 93 consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of 
the following States: New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
    Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes.
    Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane 
seasons must have a valid Federal sandhill crane hunting permit and/or, 
in those States where a Federal sandhill crane permit is not issued, a 
State-issued Harvest Information Survey Program (HIP) certification for 
game bird hunting, in their possession while hunting.
    Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways:
    Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming 
may select seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the 
Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) subject to the following conditions:
    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: The season in any State or zone may not exceed 30 
days.
    Bag limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and 9 per season.
    Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the 
appropriate State, in their possession while hunting.
    Other provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates, 
protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons 
must be consistent with the management plan and approved by the Central 
and Pacific Flyway Councils with the following exceptions:
    (1) In Utah, the requirement for monitoring the racial composition 
of the harvest in the experimental season is waived, and 100 percent of 
the harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota;
    (2) In Arizona, the annual requirement for monitoring the racial 
composition of the harvest is changed to once every 3 years; and
    (3) In Idaho, seasons are experimental, and the requirement for 
monitoring the racial composition of the harvest is waived; 100 percent 
of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota.

Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 20 in the Atlantic 
Flyway, and between September 1 and the Sunday nearest January 20 
(January 21) in the Mississippi and Central Flyways. States in the 
Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons 
between the outside dates for the season on ducks; therefore, they are 
late-season frameworks, and no frameworks are provided in this 
document.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70 
days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. Seasons may be 
split into 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 15 common moorhens and 
purple gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.

Rails

    Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between 
September 1 and January 20 on clapper, king, sora, and Virginia rails.
    Hunting Seasons: The season may not exceed 70 days, and may be 
split into 2 segments.
    Daily Bag Limits: Clapper and King Rails--In Rhode Island, 
Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, 10, singly or in the 
aggregate of the two species. In Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and 
Virginia, 15, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.
    Sora and Virginia Rails--In the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central 
Flyways and the Pacific-Flyway portions of Colorado, Montana, New 
Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 daily and 25 in possession, singly or in the 
aggregate of the two species. The season is closed in the remainder of 
the Pacific Flyway.

Common Snipe

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28, except in 
Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, 
where the season must end no later than January 31.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107 
days and may be split into two segments. The daily bag limit is 8 
snipe.

American Woodcock

    Outside Dates: States in the Eastern Management Region may select 
hunting seasons between October 6 and January 31. States in the Central 
Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday 
nearest September 22 (September 23) and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 30 
days in the Eastern Region and 45 days in the

[[Page 46850]]

Central Region. The daily bag limit is 3. Seasons may be split into two 
segments.
    Zoning: New Jersey may select seasons in each of two zones. The 
season in each zone may not exceed 24 days.

Band-Tailed Pigeons

Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada)

    Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 1.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive 
days, with bag and possession limits of 2 and 4 band-tailed pigeons, 
respectively.
    Zoning: California may select hunting seasons not to exceed 9 
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the North Zone 
must close by October 4.

Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah)

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and November 30.
    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 30 consecutive 
days, with a daily bag limit of 5 band-tailed pigeons.
    Zoning: New Mexico may select hunting seasons not to exceed 20 
consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the South Zone may 
not open until October 1.

Mourning Doves

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15, except as 
otherwise provided, States may select hunting seasons and daily bag 
limits as follows:

Eastern Management Unit

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a 
daily bag limit of 12, or not more than 60 days with a daily bag limit 
of 15.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each 
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more 
than three periods. The hunting seasons in the South Zones of Alabama, 
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi may commence no earlier 
than September 20. Regulations for bag and possession limits, season 
length, and shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting 
zones.

Central Management Unit

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a 
daily bag limit of 12, or not more than 60 days with a daily bag limit 
of 15.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each 
of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more 
than three periods. Texas may select hunting seasons for each of three 
zones subject to the following conditions:
    A. The hunting season may be split into not more than two periods, 
except in that portion of Texas in which the special white-winged dove 
season is allowed, where a limited mourning dove season may be held 
concurrently with that special season (see white-winged dove 
frameworks).
    B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between 
September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between September 20 
and January 25.
    C. Each zone may have a daily bag limit of 12 doves (15 under the 
alternative) in the aggregate, no more than 2 of which may be white-
tipped doves, except that during the special white-winged dove season, 
the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 white-winged, mourning, and 
white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 5 may be 
mourning doves and 2 may be white-tipped doves.
    D. Except as noted above, regulations for bag and possession 
limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within each 
hunting zone.

Western Management Unit

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, 
and Washington--Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag 
limit of 10 mourning doves (in Nevada, the daily bag limit may not 
exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate).
    Arizona and California--Not more than 60 days, which may be split 
between two periods, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15. In 
Arizona, during the first segment of the season, the daily bag limit is 
10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more 
than 6 may be white-winged doves. During the remainder of the season, 
the daily bag limit is restricted to 10 mourning doves. In California, 
the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves 
in the aggregate.

White-Winged and White-Tipped Doves

    Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Except as shown below, 
seasons in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas 
must be concurrent with mourning dove seasons.
    Arizona may select a hunting season of not more than 30 consecutive 
days, running concurrently with the first segment of the mourning dove 
season. The daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged 
doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 6 may be white-winged 
doves.
    In Florida, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning and 
white-winged doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate, of 
which no more than 4 may be white-winged doves.
    In the Nevada Counties of Clark and Nye, and in the California 
Counties of Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino, the daily bag 
limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the 
aggregate.
    In New Mexico, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning and 
white-winged doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate.
    In Texas, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 doves (15 under the 
alternative) in the aggregate, of which not more than 2 may be white-
tipped doves.
    In addition, Texas may also select a hunting season of not more 
than 4 days for the special white-winged dove area of the South Zone 
between September 1 and September 19. The daily bag limit may not 
exceed 10 white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the 
aggregate, of which no more than 5 may be mourning doves and 2 may be 
white-tipped doves.

Alaska

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 26.
    Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select 107 consecutive days for 
waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and common snipe in each of five zones. The 
season may be split without penalty in the Kodiak Zone. The seasons in 
each zone must be concurrent.
    Closures: The season is closed on Canada geese from Unimak Pass 
westward in the Aleutian Island chain. The hunting season is closed on 
Aleutian Canada geese, emperor geese, spectacled eiders, and Steller's 
eiders.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Ducks--Except as noted, a basic 
daily bag limit of 7 and a possession limit of 21 ducks. Daily bag and 
possession limits in the North Zone are 10 and 30, and in the Gulf 
Coast Zone, they are 8 and 24, respectively. The basic limits may 
include no more than 1 canvasback daily and 3 in possession.
    In addition to the basic duck limits, there is a sea duck daily bag 
limit of 10, with a possession limit of 20, scoter, common and king 
eiders, and common and red-breasted mergansers, singly or in the 
aggregate. Alaska may choose to allow these sea duck limits in addition 
to regular duck bag limits. However, the total daily bag limit for any 
duck species may not exceed 10.

[[Page 46851]]

    Light Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 3 and a possession limit of 
6.
    Dark Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit of 
8.
    Dark-goose seasons are subject to the following exceptions:
    1. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from 
September 28 through December 16. A special, permit-only Canada goose 
season may be offered on Middleton Island. No more than 10 permits can 
be issued. A mandatory goose identification class is required.
    Hunters must check-in and check-out. Bag limit of 1 daily and 1 in 
possession. Season to close if incidental harvest includes 5 dusky 
Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada goose 
(Munsell 10 YR color value five or less) with a bill length between 40 
and 50 millimeters.
    2. In Unit 10 (except Unimak Island), the taking of Canada geese is 
prohibited.
    3. In Unit 9(D) and the Unimak Island portion of Unit 10, the 
limits for dark geese are 6 daily and 12 in possession.
    Brant--A daily bag limit of 2.
    Common snipe--A daily bag limit of 8.
    Sandhill cranes--Bag and possession limit of 2 and 4, respectively, 
in the Southeast, Gulf Coast, Kodiak, Aleutian, and Unit 17 in the 
Northern Zone. In the remainder of the Northern Zone (outside Unit 17), 
bag and possession limits of 3 and 6, respectively.
    Tundra Swans--Open seasons for tundra swans may be selected subject 
to the following conditions:
    1. All seasons are by registration permit only.
    2. All season framework dates are September 1--October 31.
    3. In Game Management Unit (GMU) 18, no more than 500 swans may be 
harvested during the operational season. Up to 3 tundra swans may be 
authorized per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter 
per season.
    4. In GMU 22, no more than 300 swans may be harvested during the 
operational season. Each permittee may be authorized to take up to 3 
tundra swan per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter 
per season.
    5. In GMU 23, no more than 300 swans may be harvested during the 
experimental season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per 
permit with no more than 1 permit issued per hunter per season. The 
experimental season evaluation must adhere to the guidelines for 
experimental seasons as described in the Pacific Flyway Management Plan 
for the Western Population of (Tundra) Swans.

Hawaii

    Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 65 days (75 under the alternative) 
for mourning doves.
    Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12 under the alternative) mourning 
doves.

    Note: Mourning doves may be taken in Hawaii in accordance with 
shooting hours and other regulations set by the State of Hawaii, and 
subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20.

Puerto Rico

Doves and Pigeons:

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida, 
mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate. Not to exceed 5 
scaly-naped pigeons.
    Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the 
following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island, 
El Verde Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas.

Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe:

    Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 days may be selected for hunting 
ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe. The season may be split into 
two segments.
    Daily Bag Limits:
    Ducks--Not to exceed 6.
    Common moorhens--Not to exceed 6.
    Common snipe--Not to exceed 8.
    Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, 
and masked duck, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico. The season also is closed on the purple gallinule, American coot, 
and Caribbean coot.
    Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, common moorhens, 
and common snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.

Virgin Islands

Doves and Pigeons:

    Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days for Zenaida doves.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida doves.
    Closed Seasons: No open season is prescribed for ground or quail 
doves, or pigeons in the Virgin Islands.
    Closed Areas: There is no open season for migratory game birds on 
Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix).
    Local Names for Certain Birds: Zenaida dove, also known as mountain 
dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as Barbary dove or partridge; 
Common ground-dove, also known as stone dove, tobacco dove, rola, or 
tortolita; scaly-naped pigeon, also known as red-necked or scaled 
pigeon.

Ducks

    Outside Dates: Between December 1 and January 31.
    Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 consecutive days.
    Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 6.
    Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white-
cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, 
and masked duck.

Special Falconry Regulations

    Falconry is a permitted means of taking migratory game birds in any 
State meeting Federal falconry standards in 50 CFR 21.29(k). These 
States may select an extended season for taking migratory game birds in 
accordance with the following:
    Extended Seasons: For all hunting methods combined, the combined 
length of the extended season, regular season, and any special or 
experimental seasons shall not exceed 107 days for any species or group 
of species in a geographical area. Each extended season may be divided 
into a maximum of 3 segments.
    Framework Dates: Seasons must fall between September 1 and March 
10.
    Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Falconry daily bag and possession 
limits for all permitted migratory game birds shall not exceed 3 and 6 
birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate, during extended 
falconry seasons, any special or experimental seasons, and regular 
hunting seasons in all States, including those that do not select an 
extended falconry season.
    Regular Seasons: General hunting regulations, including seasons and 
hunting hours, apply to falconry in each State listed in 50 CFR 
21.29(k). Regular-season bag and possession limits do not apply to 
falconry. The falconry bag limit is not in addition to gun limits.

Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions

Mourning and White-Winged Doves

Alabama
    South Zone--Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Dale, 
Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties.

[[Page 46852]]

    North Zone--Remainder of the State.
California
    White-winged Dove Open Areas--Imperial, Riverside, and San 
Bernardino Counties.
Florida
    Northwest Zone--The Counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, 
Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, 
Washington, Leon (except that portion north of U.S. 27 and east of 
State Road 155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of State Road 59 and 
north of U.S. 98), and Wakulla (except that portion south of U.S. 98 
and east of the St. Marks River).
    South Zone--Remainder of State.
Georgia
    Northern Zone--That portion of the State lying north of a line 
running west to east along U.S. Highway 280 from Columbus to Wilcox 
County, thence southward along the western border of Wilcox County; 
thence east along the southern border of Wilcox County to the Ocmulgee 
River, thence north along the Ocmulgee River to Highway 280, thence 
east along Highway 280 to the Little Ocmulgee River; thence southward 
along the Little Ocmulgee River to the Ocmulgee River; thence 
southwesterly along the Ocmulgee River to the western border of Jeff 
Davis County; thence south along the western border of Jeff Davis 
County; thence east along the southern border of Jeff Davis and Appling 
Counties; thence north along the eastern border of Appling County, to 
the Altamaha River; thence east to the eastern border of Tattnall 
County; thence north along the eastern border of Tattnall County; 
thence north along the western border of Evans to Candler County; 
thence east along the northern border of Evans County to U.S. Highway 
301; thence northeast along U.S. Highway 301 to the South Carolina 
line.
    South Zone--Remainder of the State.
Louisiana
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of Interstate Highway 
10 from the Texas State line to Baton Rouge, Interstate Highway 12 from 
Baton Rouge to Slidell and Interstate Highway 10 from Slidell to the 
Mississippi State line.
    South Zone--The remainder of the State.
Mississippi
    South Zone--The Counties of Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, 
Harrison, Jackson, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Stone, and 
Walthall.
    North Zone--The remainder of the State.
Nevada
    White-winged Dove Open Areas--Clark and Nye Counties.
Texas
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of a line beginning at 
the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; north along FM 1088 to 
TX 20; west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along TX 148 to I-10 at Fort 
Hancock; east along I-10 to I-20; northeast along I-20 to I-30 at Fort 
Worth; northeast along I-30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line.
    South Zone--That portion of the State south and west of a line 
beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east 
on U.S. 90 to San Antonio; then east on I-10 to Orange, Texas.
    Special White-winged Dove Area in the South Zone--That portion of 
the State south and west of a line beginning at the International 
Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east on U.S. 90 to Uvalde; south on 
U.S. 83 to TX 44; east along TX 44 to TX 16 at Freer; south along TX 16 
to TX 285 at Hebbronville; east along TX 285 to FM 1017; southwest 
along FM 1017 to TX 186 at Linn; east along TX 186 to the Mansfield 
Channel at Port Mansfield; east along the Mansfield Channel to the Gulf 
of Mexico.
    Area with additional restrictions--Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and 
Willacy Counties.
    Central Zone--That portion of the State lying between the North and 
South Zones.

Band-tailed Pigeons

California
    North Zone--Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, 
Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity 
Counties.
    South Zone--The remainder of the State.
New Mexico
    North Zone--North of a line following U.S. 60 from the Arizona 
State line east to I-25 at Socorro and then south along I-25 from 
Socorro to the Texas State line.
    South Zone--Remainder of the State.
Washington
    Western Washington--The State of Washington excluding those 
portions lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big 
White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

Woodcock

New Jersey
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of NJ 70.
    South Zone--The remainder of the State.

Special September Canada Goose Seasons

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut
    North Zone--That portion of the State north of I-95.
Maryland
    Eastern Unit--Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, 
Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Annes, St. Marys, Somerset, Talbot, 
Wicomico, and Worcester Counties, and those portions of Baltimore, 
Howard, and Prince George's Counties east of I-95.
    Western Unit--Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, 
and Washington Counties, and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, and 
Prince George's Counties west of I-95.
Massachusetts
    Western Zone--That portion of the State west of a line extending 
south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, 
south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut 
border.
    Central Zone--That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone 
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-
95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on 
MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west 
to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards 
inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the 
MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St. 
bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.
    Coastal Zone--That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the 
Central Zone.
New York
    Lake Champlain Zone--The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian 
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south 
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the 
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; 
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont 
border.
    Long Island Zone--That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk

[[Page 46853]]

County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their 
tidal waters.
    Western Zone--That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario 
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along 
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border, except for the Montezuma Zone.
    Montezuma Zone--Those portions of Cayuga, Seneca, Ontario, Wayne, 
and Oswego Counties north of U.S. Route 20, east of NYS Route 14, south 
of NYS Route 104, and west of NYS Route 34.
    Northeastern Zone--That area north of a line extending from Lake 
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south 
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to 
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along 
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along 
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive 
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
    Southeastern Zone--The remaining portion of New York.
North Carolina
    Northeast Hunt Unit--Counties of Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, 
Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington.
South Carolina
    Early-season Hunt Unit--Clarendon County and those portions of 
Orangeburg County north of SC Highway 6 and Berkeley County north of SC 
Highway 45 from the Orangeburg County line to the junction of SC 
Highway 45 and State Road S-8-31 and west of the Santee Dam.
Vermont
    Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area north and west of the line extending from the New York border 
along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes; 
U.S. 7 to the Canadian border.
    Interior Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont.

Mississippi Flyway

Illinois
    Northeast Canada Goose Zone--Cook, Du Page, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, 
Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.
    North Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast Canada 
Goose Zone and north of a line extending east from the Iowa border 
along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate Highway 280, east along I-280 
to I-80, then east along I-80 to the Indiana border.
    Central Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast 
Canada Goose Zone and south of the North Zone to a line extending east 
from the Missouri border along the Modoc Ferry route to Modoc Ferry 
Road, east along Modoc Ferry Road to Modoc Road, northeasterly along 
Modoc Road and St. Leo's Road to Illinois Highway 3, north along 
Illinois 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 to Illinois 161, 
east along Illinois 161 to Illinois 4, north along Illinois 4 to 
Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to the Bond County line, north 
and east along the Bond County line to Fayette County, north and east 
along the Fayette County line to Effingham County, east and south along 
the Effingham County line to I-70, then east along I-70 to the Indiana 
border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Illinois.
Iowa
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37, 
southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to 
Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.
Michigan
    North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
    Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line 
beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the 
mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly 
and southerly along the south shore of, Stony Creek to Scenic Drive, 
easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly 
along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along 
Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of 
Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, east along U.S. 10 to 
Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north along I-75/U.S. 23 to the 
U.S. 23 exit at Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Road in Arenac 
County, east along Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, then on a 
line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a 
line directly northeast to the Canada border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.
Minnesota
    Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone--
    A. All of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.
    B. In Anoka County, all of Columbus Township lying south of County 
State Aid Highway (CSAH) 18, Anoka County; all of the cities of Ramsey, 
Andover, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Spring Lake Park, Fridley, Hilltop, 
Columbia Heights, Blaine, Lexington, Circle Pines, Lino Lakes, and 
Centerville; and all of the city of Ham Lake except that portion lying 
north of CSAH 18 and east of U.S. Highway 65.
    C. That part of Carver County lying north and east of the following 
described line: Beginning at the northeast corner of San Francisco 
Township; thence west along the north boundary of San Francisco 
Township to the east boundary of Dahlgren Township; thence north along 
the east boundary of Dahlgren Township to U.S. Highway 212; thence west 
along U.S. Highway 212 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 284; thence north 
on STH 284 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10; thence north and west 
on CSAH 10 to CSAH 30; thence north and west on CSAH 30 to STH 25; 
thence east and north on STH 25 to CSAH 10; thence north on CSAH 10 to 
the Carver County line.
    D. In Scott County, all of the cities of Shakopee, Savage, Prior 
Lake, and Jordan, and all of the Townships of Jackson, Louisville, St. 
Lawrence, Sand Creek, Spring Lake, and Credit River.
    E. In Dakota County, all of the cities of Burnsville, Eagan, 
Mendota Heights, Mendota, Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove Heights, Apple 
Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Farmington, Hastings, Lilydale, West St. 
Paul, and South St. Paul, and all of the Township of Nininger.
    F. That portion of Washington County lying south of the following 
described line: Beginning at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 on the 
west boundary of the county; thence east on CSAH 2 to U.S. Highway 61; 
thence south on U.S. Highway 61 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 97; thence 
east on STH 97 to the intersection of STH 97 and STH 95; thence due 
east to the east boundary of the State.
    Northwest Goose Zone--That portion of the State encompassed by a 
line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 
to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east 
along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north 
along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to 
STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along 
CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in 
Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 
310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.

[[Page 46854]]

    Two Goose Zone--That portion of the State lying east of Interstate 
Highway 35 and south of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone.
    Five Goose Zone--That portion of the State not included in the Twin 
Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, the Northwest Goose Zone, or the 
Two Goose Zone.
    West Zone--That portion of the State encompassed by a line 
beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa 
border, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north 
along U.S. 71 to Interstate Highway 94, then north and west along I-94 
to the North Dakota border.
Tennessee
    Middle Tennessee Zone--Those portions of Houston, Humphreys, 
Montgomery, Perry, and Wayne Counties east of State Highway 13; and 
Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, 
Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Moore, 
Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson 
Counties.
    East Tennessee Zone--Anderson, Bledsoe, Bradley, Blount, Campbell, 
Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Grainger, 
Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson, 
Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, 
Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, 
Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, and 
White Counties.
Wisconsin
    Early-Season Subzone A--That portion of the State encompassed by a 
line beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 141 and the Michigan 
border near Niagara, then south along U.S. 141 to State Highway 22, 
west and southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45, south along U.S. 45 to 
State 22, west and south along State 22 to State 110, south along State 
110 to U.S. 10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49, south along State 49 
to State 23, west along State 23 to State 73, south along State 73 to 
State 60, west along State 60 to State 23, south along State 23 to 
State 11, east along State 11 to State 78, then south along State 78 to 
the Illinois border.
    Early-Season Subzone B--The remainder of the State.

Central Flyway

Kansas
    September Canada Goose Unit--That part of Kansas bounded by a line 
from the Kansas-Missouri State line west on KS-68 to its junction with 
KS-33, then north on KS-33 to its junction with US-56, then west on US-
56 to its junction with KS-31, then west-northwest on KS-31 to its 
junction with KS-99, then north on KS-99 to its junction with US-24, 
then east on US-24 to its junction with KS-63, then north on KS-63 to 
its junction with KS-16, then east on KS-16 to its junction with KS-
116, then east on KS-116 to its junction with US-59, then northeast on 
US-59 to its junction with the Kansas-Missouri line, then south on the 
Kansas-Missouri line to its junction with KS-68.
North Dakota
    Special Early Canada Goose Unit--Richland and Sargent Counties.
South Dakota
    September Canada Goose Unit--Brookings, Clark, Codington, Day, 
Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Kingsbury, Lake, Marshall, McCook, Moody 
Counties, and Miner County east of SD 25, and that portion of Minnehaha 
County north and west of a line beginning at the junction of County 130 
(Renner Road) and the Minnesota border, then west on County 130 to I-29 
and along I-29 to the Lincoln County line.

Pacific Flyway

Idaho
    East Zone--Bonneville, Caribou, Fremont, and Teton Counties.
Oregon
    Northwest Zone--Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane, 
Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and 
Yamhill Counties.
    Southwest Zone--Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and 
Klamath Counties.
    East Zone--Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, 
Union, and Wasco Counties.
Washington
    Southwest Zone--Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties.
    East Zone--Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Garfield, Klickitat, and 
Whitman Counties.
Wyoming
    Bear River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Salt River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Farson-Edon Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette 
Counties described in State regulations.
    Teton Area--Those portions of Teton County described in State 
regulations.
    Bridger Valley Area--The area described as the Bridger Valley Hunt 
Unit in State regulations.

Ducks

Atlantic Flyway

New York
    Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian 
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south 
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the 
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; 
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont 
border.
    Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk 
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their 
tidal waters.
    Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario 
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along 
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.
    Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake 
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south 
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to 
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along 
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along 
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive 
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
    Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.

Mississippi Flyway

Indiana
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 31, 
north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, then 
southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio border.
    Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line 
extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 64 to 
New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State 56, east along State 56 
to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along the Ohio River to North 
Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along 
U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.
    South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio 
River Zone boundaries.

[[Page 46855]]

Iowa
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37, 
southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to 
Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.

Central Flyway

Colorado
    Special Teal Season Area: Lake and Chaffee Counties and that 
portion of the State east of a line extending east from the Wyoming 
border, south along U.S. 85 to I-76, south along I-76 to I-25, south 
along I-25 to the New Mexico border.
Kansas
    High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
    Low Plains Early Zone: That portion of the State east of the High 
Plains Zone and west of a line extending south from the Nebraska border 
along KS 28 to U.S. 36, east along U.S. 36 to KS 199, south along KS 
199 to Republic County Road 563, south along Republic County Road 563 
to KS 148, east along KS 148 to Republic County Road 138, south along 
Republic County Road 138 to Cloud County Road 765, south along Cloud 
County Road 765 to KS 9, west along KS 9 to U.S. 24, west along U.S. 24 
to U.S. 281, north along U.S. 281 to U.S. 36, west along U.S. 36 to 
U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to U.S. 24, west along U.S. 24 to KS 18, 
southeast along KS 18 to U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to KS 4, east 
along KS 4 to I-135, south along I-135 to KS 61, southwest along KS 61 
to KS 96, northwest on KS 96 to U.S. 56, west along U.S. 56 to U.S. 
281, south along U.S. 281 to U.S. 54, then west along U.S. 54 to U.S. 
283.
    Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder of Kansas.
Nebraska
    Special Teal Season Area: That portion of the State south of a line 
beginning at the Wyoming State line; east along U.S. 26 to Nebraska 
Highway 92; east along Nebraska Highway 92 to Nebraska Highway 61; 
south along Nebraska Highway 61 to U.S. 30; east along U.S. 30 to the 
Iowa border.
New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)
    North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
    South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.

Pacific Flyway

California
    Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a 
line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath 
River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest 
Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and 
south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west 
along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89; 
east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north 
on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S. 
395 to the Nevada border.
    Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, 
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border 
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as 
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to 
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in 
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of 
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on 
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the 
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley 
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to 
U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south 
on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
    Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding 
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the 
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City 
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of 
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest 
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to 
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on 
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada 
border.
    Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare 
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included 
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the 
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.

Canada Geese

Michigan
    North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.
    Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line 
beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the 
mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly 
and southerly along the south shore of, Stony Creek to Scenic Drive, 
easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly 
along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along 
Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of 
Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, east along U.S. 10 to 
Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north along I-75/U.S. 23 to the 
U.S. 23 exit at Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Road in Arenac 
County, east along Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, then on a 
line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a 
line directly northeast to the Canada border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.

Sandhill Cranes

Central Flyway

Colorado
    Regular-Season Open Area--The Central Flyway portion of the State 
except the San Luis Valley (Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, 
Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache Counties east of the Continental 
Divide) and North Park (Jackson County).
Kansas
    Regular Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of a line 
beginning at the Oklahoma border, north on I-35 to Wichita, north on I-
135 to Salina, and north on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border.
New Mexico
    Regular-Season Open Area--Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay, 
and Roosevelt Counties.
    Middle Rio Grande Valley Area--The Central Flyway portion of New 
Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.
    Southwest Zone--Sierra, Luna, and Dona Ana Counties.
Oklahoma
    Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of I-35.
Texas
    Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of a line 
from the International Toll Bridge at

[[Page 46856]]

Brownsville along U.S. 77 to Victoria; U.S. 87 to Placedo; Farm Road 
616 to Blessing; State 35 to Alvin; State 6 to U.S. 290; U.S. 290 to 
Austin; I-35 to the Texas-Oklahoma border.
North Dakota
    Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of U.S. 
281.
South Dakota
    Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of U.S. 
281.
Montana
    Regular-Season Open Area--The Central Flyway portion of the State 
except that area south of I-90 and west of the Bighorn River.
Wyoming
    Regular-Season Open Area--Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen, 
Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties.
    Riverton-Boysen Unit--Portions of Fremont County.
    Park and Big Horn County Unit--Portions of Park and Big Horn 
Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona
    Special-Season Area--Game Management Units 30A, 30B, 31, and 32.
Montana
    Special-Season Area--See State regulations.
Utah
    Special-Season Area--Rich and Cache Counties and that portion of 
Box Elder County beginning on the Utah-Idaho State line at the Box 
Elder-Cache County line; west on the State line to the Pocatello Valley 
County Road; south on the Pocatello Valley County Road to I-15; 
southeast on I-15 to SR-83; south on SR-83 to Lamp Junction; west and 
south on the Promontory Point County Road to the tip of Promontory 
Point; south from Promontory Point to the Box Elder-Weber County line; 
east on the Box Elder-Weber County line to the Box Elder-Cache County 
line; north on the Box Elder-Cache County line to the Utah-Idaho State 
line.
Wyoming
    Bear River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Salt River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Eden-Farson Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette 
Counties described in State regulations.

All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska

    North Zone--State Game Management Units 11-13 and 17-26.
    Gulf Coast Zone--State Game Management Units 5-7, 9, 14-16, and 
10--Unimak Island only.
    Southeast Zone--State Game Management Units 1-4.
    Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone--State Game Management Unit 10--
except Unimak Island.
    Kodiak Zone--State Game Management Unit 8.

All Migratory Birds in the Virgin Islands

    Ruth Cay Closure Area--The island of Ruth Cay, just south of St. 
Croix.

All Migratory Birds in Puerto Rico

    Municipality of Culebra Closure Area--All of the municipality of 
Culebra.
    Desecheo Island Closure Area--All of Desecheo Island.
    Mona Island Closure Area--All of Mona Island.
    El Verde Closure Area--Those areas of the municipalities of Rio 
Grande and Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All lands between Routes 
956 on the west and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the north to the 
juncture of Routes 956 and 186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands 
between Routes 186 and 966 from the juncture of 186 and 966 on the 
north, to the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the south; (3) all 
lands lying west of Route 186 for 1 kilometer from the juncture of 
Routes 186 and 956 south to Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within Km 
14 and Km 6 on the west and the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on 
the east; and (5) all lands within the Caribbean National Forest 
Boundary whether private or public.
    Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas--All of Cidra Municipality 
and portions of Aguas Buenas, Caguas, Cayey, and Comerio Municipalities 
as encompassed within the following boundary: beginning on Highway 172 
as it leaves the municipality of Cidra on the west edge, north to 
Highway 156, east on Highway 156 to Highway 1, south on Highway 1 to 
Highway 765, south on Highway 765 to Highway 763, south on Highway 763 
to the Rio Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to Highway 1, southwest on 
Highway 1 to Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to Highway 729, north on 
Highway 729 to Cidra Municipality boundary to the point of the 
beginning.
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

[[Page 46857]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP31JY00.001

[FR Doc. 00-19192 Filed 7-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-C